3 Review(s)

This final volume of The Letters of D. H. Lawrence has a threefold purpose. The first is to publish 148 letters to or from Lawrence, and two from Frieda Lawrence, which came to light too late to be entered in their correct chronological positions in earlier volumes. The second is to correct errors in the first seven volumes and offer additional annotation which clarifies some obscurities as well as enhancing our response to the letters. And the third is to provide a comprehensive critical index to the entire edition. The index includes not only specific persons and places but also general topics from Animals and Architecture to War and Youth, via such subjects as Insects, Literary Agents, Religion and Sexuality. The Cambridge Edition of Lawrence's letters has been described by one reviewer as creating itself 'a major new literary work'. This volume brings that work to a fitting conclusion.